Magnetic keeper for picture frames

ABSTRACT

A PICTURE FRAME OF SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED CROSS-SECTION MADE OF MAGNETIC MATERIAL AT LEAST PORTIONS THEREOF, AND A PLURALITY OF MAGNETS ATTACHED TO SAID FRAME SO AS TO KEEP THE PICTURE TIGHTLY AGAINST THE FRONT FLANGE OF THE PICTURE FRAME.

Jan. 12, 1971 WESTON 3,553,873

MAGNETIC KEEPER FOR PICTURE FRAMES Filed Oct. 17, 1968 Fig.2.

Fig.5. 3

7 6 6 i 4m/ 1 A w H. W 24% 2 \4 -5 INVENTOR IVE/L WESTON ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,553,873 MAGNETIC KEEPER FOR PICTURE FRAMES Neil Weston, Rte. 1, Box 233, Carmel, Calif. 93921 Filed Oct. 17, 1968, Ser. No. 768,373 Int. Cl. G09f 1/12 U.S. Cl. 40-156 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A picture frame of substantially U-shaped cross-section made of magnetic material at least at portions thereof, and a plurality of magnets attracted to said frame so as to keep the picture tightly against the front flange f the picture frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to obviate the use of prevailing securing methods such as nails, wedges and clumsy clamps, for holding a picture in a frame, and to provide a magnetic system, whereby a picture can be secured in place by easily removable magnets thereby to facilitate mounting and replacement.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a rear view of a picture frame showing the arrangement of the magnets.

FIG. 2 is a fragmental cross-sectional view of the picture frame and a magnet, the section being taken on lines 22 of FIG. 1.

'FIG. 3 is a fragmental cross-sectional view of the picture frame and a magnet directly engaging the back side of the picture.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The picture frame 1 has an inwardly turned wider flange 2 around its front edge, and a narrower flange 3 around its rear edge, so as to form a substantially U-shaped crosssection with the front leg longer than the rear leg.

A glass or other transparent protective sheet 4 is usually laid on the front flange 2 and the picture 5 is laid on the glass sheet 4 with its face exposed to view. On the back of the picture 5 is usually a backing sheet 6 made of cardboard or other stiff material.

On the back of backing sheet 6 are placed a plurality of magnets 7. The picture frame 1 and the front flange 2 are made of suitable magnetic material, at least on portions thereof opposite or adjacent to the respective magnets 7, so as to attract the magnets 7 and thereby firmly clamp the picture 5 between the magnets 7 and the front ice flange 2. The magnets 7 being attracted edgewise outwardly toward the frame 1 and also by the front flange 2, are thus held flat against the backing sheet 6. Each magnet is wider than the width of the front flange 2 to present effective flat area of contact for firmly keeping the picture 5 in place.

In order to enhance the force holding the magnets 7 in place, a magnetic area 8 is provided on the back of the backing sheet 6 at least beneath the locations of the respective magnets 7. The magnetic areas 8 may be provided as a strip of magnetic material, such as a magnetic tape, secured by adhesive to the back of the backing sheet 6, or by magnetic particles adhering to the back surface of the backing sheet 6. These magnetic areas 8 may be localized or may be provided all. around the edge of the backing sheet 6 on an area Wider than the width of said front flange 2. The narrow flange 3 is spaced from the front lflange 2 sufliciently far as not to attract said magnets 7 away from said front flange 2.

In FIG. 3 is illustrated the use of the magnetic keeper directly on a picture, whenever the picture is stiff enough to be used without a backing sheet.

I claim:

1. Magnetic keeper for picture frames comprising:

an open picture frame, formed by sides,

a retaining flange along the outside edge of each side,

each flange extended rearwardly of the frame substantially at right angles to the adjacent side,

a return flange extended inwardly from the edge of each of said retaining flanges substantially parallel with the adjacent side of the picture frame to form with the frame side and retaining flange a substantially U-shaped cross-section rear-wardly of the frame sides,

said sides and flanges being of magnetic material, and

a plurality of removable magnets on the back of the picture at the respective retaining flanges and return flanges to hold said picture in said frame.

2. The magnetic keeper defined in claim 1, and

a backing sheet to engage the back of the picture, and

magnetic material on the backing sheet beneath said magnets.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,785,490 3/1957 Fabry 40-156 3,298,124 1/1967 Jahn 40-156 3,444,638 1/1969 Jahn 40158 JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner W. J. CONTRERAS, Assistant Examiner 

